EP1583455B1

EP1583455B1 - Dishwasher

Info

Publication number: EP1583455B1
Application number: EP03796252A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Semsettin c/o ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI EKSERT; Ertan Cetinkaya; Ertugrul c/o ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI KÖSE; Ümit ALTUN; Cem Bastuji
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2002-12-31
Filing date: 2003-12-19
Publication date: 2008-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 2023-12-19
Also published as: ATE410113T1; DE60324027D1; AU2003298500A1; TR200502346T1; EP1583455A1; WO2004058039A1; WO2004058039A8

Abstract

The dishwasher (1) which is the subject of this invention ensures easy usage while loading and removing the objects by simply opening the covers (101 and 102) and baskets (12 and 13) connected to them even though the design and position of the components are similar to the conventional machines.

Description

This invention relates to a dishwasher which is easy to use by means of more than one cover and basket.
In the dishwashers, there is a cover attached to the body by a hinge from the lower part generally covering the washing tub. When the cover is opened, it rotates around the hinge and changes from vertical position into horizontal position. After the cover is opened, the user pulls the baskets out for loading and removing and, closes the cover accordingly. In this application, the user who wants to load even a single object e.g. in the lower basket, opens the cover to a horizontal position, pulls out the lower basket, loads the object, pushes the basket back and closes the cover respectively. These steps are not ergonomic for the user. In the state of art, various works have been carried out to make the covers of the dishwashers more ergonomic.
In the prior art, European Patent EP 807400 describes a dishwasher having more than one drawer type covers each covering different washing tubs. Different washing components such as pump and spray arm operate for the tubs of the dishwashers and tubs may be used independent from each other. Multiple use of the same component and formation of separate compartments result in the efficient use of only a smaller part of the washing tub.
In the state of art, United States Patent US6260565 defines a dishwasher having two covers one in drawer type and the other with hinges covering two separate washing tubs. These two separate washing tubs can be used independently from each other.
In the prior art, European Patent Application EP 1189534 discloses a dishwasher having a cover opening by sliding like a drawer. The lower basket of the dishwasher is pulled out with the cover opened by sliding. The other baskets of the dishwasher are only reached by a pulling after the cover is opened.
The object of this invention is to provide a dishwasher having covers which can be opened and closed to enable the user load and remove the objects easily in the baskets of the dishwasher. This object is achieved by a dishwasher as defined in the appended independent claim 1.
The dishwasher realized in order to attain above mentioned objects of the present invention has been illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein;

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a dishwasher,
Figure 2 is schematic view of a dishwasher wherein the upper basket is pulled outside.
Figure 3 is a schematic view of a dishwasher wherein the lower basket is pulled outside.
Figure 4 is a schematic view of a dishwasher comprising a drip tray under both the upper and the lower baskets.
Figure 5 is a schematic view of a dishwasher comprising a drip tray under both the upper and the lower basket wherein the upper basket is pulled outside.
Figure 6 is a schematic view of a dishwasher having a lower cover so high to cover the base.
Figure 7 is a schematic view of a dishwasher having a lower cover so high to cover the base wherein the lower basket is pulled outside.
Figure 8 is a schematic view of a dishwasher having an upper basket with adjustable hight.
Figure 9 is a schematic view of a dishwasher having an upper basket with adjustable hight and lower cover moving in a linear direction.
Figure 10 is a schematic view of a dishwasher having an upper basket with adjustable hight and lower cover moving in a circular direction.

The components shown in the figures have been enumerated as below;

1. Dishwasher
2. Washing tub
3. Sump
5. Lower spray arm
6. Upper spray arm
7. Water distribution line
8. Body
12. Lower basket
13. Upper basket
15. Base
101.Lower cover
102.Upper cover
103.Dragger
104.Spraying member
105.Locking mechanism
106.Opening
108.Drip tray
201. Additional drip tray
301. Height Adjustment Mechanism
302. Connection mechanism

The dishwasher (1) which is the subject of this invention comprises a body (8), a washing tub (2) in the body (8), a sump (3) where the water is collected, under the washing tub (2), upper and lower spray arms (5 and 6) directing the water to the objects, a circulation pump directing the water from the sump (3) to the upper and lower spray arms (5 and 6), a water distribution line (7) connected to the circulation pump, a discharge pump used to discharge the water collected in the sump (3) at the end of the washing cycle out of the dishwasher (1), a heater used to heat the washing water and the objects therein, a water inlet valve receiving the washing water, a base (15) and at least two baskets (12 and 13) where the objects are loaded.
The dishwasher (1) comprises at least two covers (101 and 102) attached to the baskets (12 and 13) covering the washing tub (2). When the objects are loaded in the dishwasher (1), covers (101 and 102) and baskets (12 and 13) attached to them are pulled by sliding out of the body (8) and covers (101 and 102) are closed after the loading step is completed.
Furthermore, the dishwasher (1) comprises a drip tray (108) under the lower basket (12) which is connected with the cover (101) attached to the basket (12) and moves together, preventing the dripping of the water from the objects on the outer environment when the baskets (12 and 13) are pulled out of the body. The drip tray has the required dimensions for preventing the dripping, for example it has almost the same size with the lower basket (12) and the parts of the baskets (12 and 13) that are pulled out. When the cover (101) is open, the water dripping from the objects in the baskets (12 and 13) slides over the drip tray (108) to the sump (3). When the cover (101) is closed, the washing water slides through an opening (106) between the drip tray (108) and the washing tub (2) to the sump (3). Sump (3) is intentionally mounted under a very close place to the opening (106) to transfer the washing water swiftly and prevent its collection.
Additionally the dishwasher (1) comprises one or more spraying member (104) under the drip tray (108) cleaning the dirt collected under the drip tray (108) and inside walls of the sump (3). Drip tray (108) forms a set between the spray arms (5 and 6) and sump (3) during the washing cycle, hence the dirt inside walls of the sump (3) and under the drip tray (108) is not cleaned as desired. The accumulation of the dirt is therefore prevented by means of the spraying member (104) connected to the water distribution line (7).
The dishwasher comprises a dragger (103) under the cover (102) connected to the upper basket (13), opening the upper cover (102) at the same amount with the lower cover (101) when it is opened. Since no structure is used to prevent the dripping of water from the objects when the upper basket (13) is pulled out, the lower cover (101) is attached to the dragger (103) when the upper door (102) is opened and both covers (101 and 102) are opened together at the same amount. Drip tray (108) can function for both baskets (12 and 13) in this way.
The dishwasher (1) further comprises a locking mechanism (105) providing the independent movement of the lower cover (101) from the lower basket (12) when opened together with the upper cover (102) when the upper cover (102) is opened and the joint movement of the lower cover (101) with the lower basket (12) when the lower cover (101) is opened. When the objects are to be loaded to only the upper basket (13), as both the upper cover (102) and the lower cover (101) are opened together by the dragger (103) and as it would not be easy for the user to pull entirely or partially full lower basket (12) out of the body (8), by means of the locking mechanism (105), the lower basket (12) is pulled only when the lower cover (101) is opened. When the user pulls the cover handle on the upper cover (102) to pull out the upper basket (13), locking mechanism (105) locks the upper cover (102) with the lower cover (101) and separates the lower cover (101) from the lower basket (12). When the user prefers to use the lower basket (12), the handle on the lower cover (101) is pulled and the lower basket (12) is pulled out with the lower cover (101) as the locking mechanism is not activated.
When the dishwasher (1) is used, the user loads the objects into the baskets (12 and 13) by opening one of the lower and upper covers (101 and 102).
In another embodiment of the invention, dishwasher (1) comprises a height adjustment mechanism (301) providing the adjustment of the height of upper basket (13) for example in two positions like low and high and a connection mechanism (301) changing the position of the connection point of the upper basket (13) with the upper cover (102) when the position of the upper basket (13) is changed. As the upper basket (13) can be used in more than one position, when the upper basket (13) is in a high position, the upper cover (10) is at sufficient height (h₁) to prevent being hit by the object (h₂) at maximum height which can be placed in the lower basket (12) when the basket (12) and the lower cover (101) are pulled out of the body (8). In this embodiment the height (h₁) of the upper cover (102) may be shorter than that of the lower cover (101).
In another embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher (1) has the lower cover (101) in a form that when the upper basket (13) is pulled out the lower cover (101) will not affect the movement of the upper basket (13) when the upper basket (13) is adjusted to low position by means of the height adjustment mechanism (301). The lower cover (101) moves in linear or circular direction by the way of preferably a spring-based movement mechanism placed in the upper part. When the lower cover (101) moves in a circular direction, it moves forward and backward. When the lower cover (101) moves in a linear direction, it moves towards inside and outside.
In another embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises an additional drip tray (201) under the upper basket (13) connected to the cover (102) attached to the upper basket (13) preventing the water of the objects in the upper basket (13) from dripping on the floor when the upper basket (13) is pulled out of the body (8). In this embodiment, as there is an additional drip tray (201) holding the water dripping from the objects in the upper basket (13), the lower cover (102) does not need to be opened with the upper cover (101). Accordingly, there is no dragger (103) and locking mechanism (105) in this embodiment.
In another embodiment of the invention, the lower cover (101) is formed in a suitable size to prevent the base (15) from being seen. Therefore when desired, a more decorative appearance may be obtained by placing the dishwasher (1) in the kitchen leaving under a high base.
Although the dishwasher (1) comprises only one washing tub (2) and has the same design and placement of the components as in the conventional machines, the covers (101 and 102) and the baskets (12 and 13) attached to them provide an easy use for the loading and discharge of the objects by sliding and opening with one movement.

Claims

A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (8), a washing tub (2) in the body (8), a sump (3) where the water is collected, under the washing tub (2), a water distribution line (7) and at least two baskets (12 and 13) in which the objects are loaded, characterized by at least two covers (101 and 102) which are attached to the baskets (12 and 13), opened by a sliding movement and closing the washing tub (2), an a drip tray (108) which prevents the dripping of the water from the objects in the baskets (12 and 13) on the floor when the baskets (12 and 13) are pulled out of the body, which is under the lower basket (12) and which is connected to and moves with the cover (101) which is attached to the lower basket (12).
A dishwasher (1) as defined in claim 1 characterized by the drip tray (108) in required dimensions to prevent the dripping from the baskets (12 and 13), directing the water dripped from the objects to the sump (3) and having an opening (106) with the wall of the washing tub (2) when the cover (101) is closed.
A dishwasher (1) as defined in claim 2 characterized in that the sump (3) is placed at a position close to or under the opening (106) to provide the transfer of the washing water coming from the drip tray (108) and prevention of its accumulation.
A dishwasher (1) as defined in any of the previous claims characterized by one or more spraying members (104) under the drip tray (108), connected to the water distribution line (7) and cleaning the dirt accumulated in the side walls of the sump (3) and under the drip tray (108).
A dishwasher (1) as defined in any of the previous claims characterized by a dragger (103) under the cover (102) connected to the upper basket (13), attached to the lower cover (101) when the upper cover (102) is opened as no structure is used to prevent the water dripping from the objects when the upper basket (13) is pulled out, and providing the opening of two covers (101 and 102) together and serving of the drip tray (108) for both baskets (12 and 13).
A dishwasher (1) as defined in any of the previous claims characterized by a locking mechanism (105) providing the independent movement of the lower cover (101) when opened together with the upper cover (102) from the lower basket (12) and the joint movement of the lower cover (101) with the lower basket (12) when the lowercover (101) is opened.
A dishwasher (1) as defined in any of the previous claims characterized in that the upper basket (13) can stand in two different positions like low and high and be adjusted with respect to the needs of the users and, the upper cover (102) having a height (h₁) which can prevent being hit by the object (h₂) at maximum height which can be placed in the lower basket (12) during the high position of the upper basket (13) when the basket (12) and the lower cover (101) are pulled out of the body (8) as the upper basket (13) can be used in more than one position.
A dishwasher (1) as defined in claim 6 characterized by a height adjustment mechanism (301) adjusting the height of the upper basket (13) with respect to the needs of the user in two positions like low and high, and a connection mechanism (302) changing the position of the connection point of the upper cover (102) with the upper basket (13) when the position of the upper basket (13) is changed.
A dishwasher (1) as defined in any of the claims 1-4, characterized by an additional drip tray (201) under the upper basket (13), connected to the cover (102) which is attached to the upper basket (13) and moves together, preventing the dripping of the water from the objects in the upper basket (13) on the floor when the upper basket (13) is pulled out of the body (8).
A dishwasher (1) as defined in any of the previous claims characterized by the lower cover (101) having the sizes enough to prevent the base (15) to be seen and obtain a more decorative appearance.
A dishwasher (1) as defined in any of the claims 1 to 6 characterized by a height adjustment mechanism (301) adjusting the height of the upper basket (13) with respect to the needs of the user in two positions like low and high, a connection mechanism (302) changing the position of the connection point of the upper cover (102) with the upper basket (13) when the position of the upper basket (13) is changed, and a lower cover (101) in a form not to prevent the movement of the upper basket (13) by being pushed by the upper basket (13) when it is pulled out.
A dishwasher (1) as defined in claim 11 characterized in that the lower cover (101) moves inside and outside in a linear direction due to a movement mechanism placed in the upper part.
A dishwasher (1) as defined in claim 11 characterized in that the lower cover (101) moves forward and backward in a circular direction due to a movement mechanism placed in the upper part.